Prevalence of enteropathogenic diarrhea in Children up to 2 years in Kirkuk province

Abstract

Diarrhea is one of the most common infectious gastroenteritis diseases in young children. To clarify the infectious etiology of diarrhea in children up to two years old, we conducted a cross-sectional study in 200 children (116 males and 84 females) admitted with diarrhea to Pediatric Hospital in Kirkuk province. In present study, we studied the distribution of enteropathogenic diarrhea (EPD) in children. Regarding to age group, the distribution of EPD was high 82(42.69%) in age group ranging from 7-12 Mon. On the other hand 106 (59.55%) male versus 72 (40.45%) females showed EPD. According to feeding nature, the incidence of EPD among breast feeding Children was 52(22.47%) patient while artificially feeding account for 56 (31.46%). The mixed feeding children with EPD also detected in 35 (39.32%) patient. We also studied enteropathogenic diarrhea (EPD) in children with persistent and acute diarrhea, out of 154 children with acute diarrhea, 136(76.4%) children showed EPD. While, from 46 children with persistent diarrhea, 42(23.6%) children were recorded to have EPD. Stool specimens were collected from subjects, and examined for several diagnostic laboratory routine tests to detect bacterial enteropathogens, parasites, and viruses. The results indicated that 178(89%) of diarrheal children passed an enteropathogenes (EP) in their stools, with 22(11%) negative cases. A total of 226 causative agents of diarrhea were isolated and identified including: bacterial causes comprised of 66 (33%) enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), 56 (28%) Salmonella spp., 10 (5%), human rotavirus 56 (28%), parasitic causes appeared in 54 (27%); this were E. histolitica 44 (22%), Giardia lambilia 10(5%), Candida albicans 50 (25%), with associated previous antibiotic therapy. To identify other causes of diarrhea we studied carbohydrate intolerance mainly lactase deficiency, among 200 stool specimen, 30 sample showed positive Benedict's test, which indicates disaccharide malabsorption